Video: Festive Season Triggers Huge Rush at Surat's Udhna Railway Station

Surat: As Diwali approaches, thousands are preparing to travel home, leading to massive crowds at Surat’s Udhna Railway Station.

Videos show the station packed with people, primarily from UP and Bihar , eagerly waiting to board trains to return home for Diwali and Chhath Puja on Sunday.

The visuals of the crowd are intense, with police attempting to manage the throngs of travelers.

In a similar incident reported in Mumbai, a stampede occurred at Bandra Terminus this morning, injuring several passengers. The stampede took place on Platform 1, ahead of the departure of the Bandra-Gorakhpur Express. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), nine people were injured due to the rush on the platform. The injured have been shifted to Bhabha Hospital, where they are receiving treatment; two are reported to be in critical condition.

Western Railway CPRO Issues Statement

The CPRO of the Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek has issued a statement after the Mumbai Stampede that injured nine passengers out of which two are critical. The statement reads, "Today morning, at Bandra Terminus, when 22921 Bandra-Gorakhpur Antyoday Express, whose departure time is 5.15 am, was taken to the platform from yard at 2.44 am, some passengers tried to board the train while it was still moving, two passengers got injuries. They were taken to a hospital. Their treatment is ongoing.

It is important to note that the Western Railway ensures arrival of trains 2-3 hours prior to departure time at the platforms during the time of festivals. The same was happening, unfortunately, these passengers have got injured. Western Railway and Central Railway have already issued notification for trains, in Western Railway, so far 2,300 notifications have been done.
We have provided extra counters for tickets, there are adequate number of GRP staff, RPF staff, ticket checking staff and they ensure proper boarding. The protocols are there in place. There are adequate facilities at holding areas.

We request the passengers to board the trains carefully. Western Railway is ensuring adequate number of trains during festivals, and we are sharing the information through different mediums."

Last year, a stampede at Surat Railway Station led to one fatality and three injuries when a large crowd tried to board a train to Bhagalpur, creating chaos at the platform.